The 1950s at the University were a time of setbacks, progress and hijinks. A former editor-in-chief for The Cavalier Daily died tragically during military service. Editorials noted the dire need for more funding for the humanities and social sciences. Vandalism by students delayed improvements to Mad Bowl and intramurals. However, there were also moments of societal change, new University traditions and spontaneous fun. Hundreds of scholarships to the University students were awarded and desegregation was ordered for Charlottesville schools. Students founded a Polo club and their victories against top teams drew celebrity donors and big audiences. International love letters poured in after a Swedish magazine wrote about a University man with a lonely heart. Looking back at University history, one can observe moments of transformation, positive development and challenge.
Dec. 11, 1952
“Are The Humanities Dying?”
By Alfred McCormack, Jr.
Of the hundreds of millions of dollars that American colleges and universities spend on research in an academic year, nearly 90 percent goes to research in the physical or biological sciences, with only a small fraction to the humanities. The University received $663,710 for research, none of which went toward social sciences or humanities. According to this author, this imbalance of funding among academic disciplines poses a threat to professor recruitment, research impact and University functioning.
Nov. 9, 1955
“Polo Is Becoming A University Tradition”
By Ashley Futral
A “motley crew” of students founded the Polo Club at the University in 1953. At team captain Don Hannah’s direction, they became among the best college teams in the nation, along with their rival Yale. The members of the Polo Club play popular Sunday afternoon games attended by thousands and care for the ponies, maintain the stables and fundraise from polo enthusiast donors including Dominican diplomat and race car driver Porfirio Rubirosa.
Sept. 13, 1957
“Tom Martin Dies In Plane Crash”
By unlisted author
Photo by unlisted photographer
Thomas McEntee Martin, former editor-in-chief of The Cavalier Daily, died at age 25. As an officer in the Marine reserve, he was taking off from the Marine Air Base at El Toro, Calif. when the jet plane he was piloting caught fire and crashed. At the University, Martin was the first student to be elected editor-in-chief in such a short time of being on the paper. In the military, Martin served with distinction in the First Air Wing in Korea and he held the rank of first lieutenant in the reserve at the time of his death, and was promoted to captain by special action.
Feb. 15, 1958
“University Announces Over 850 Scholarships Awarded This Year”
By Bob Henkle
The scholarships awarded to students totalled over $250,000. There are two types of scholarships awarded to new students — the duPont Regional Scholarships and the regular University scholarships. Every year, 300 new scholarship winners arrive at the University.
April 23, 1958
“320 Swedish Girls Want Mail From Interested Males”
By unlisted author
After a Swedish magazine wrote about Bill Bartsch, “the University’s only lonely hearts club proprietor,” he started recieving letters from girls in Sweden. Bartsch and his assistant Duane Evans received around 35 letters per day, and the record for most mail in a day totaled 101 love notes.
May 14, 1958
“End Of Segregation Set For City Schools”
From The Daily Progress
Federal Judge John Paul in Harrisburg reaffirmed his order on desegregation, to become effective in September of 1958. While not all of the original 44 plaintiffs who sought entry into Charlottesville’s white schools were still eligible, due to moving or graduating, many students applied and attempted to register at these schools. Virginia state laws like the Pupil Placement Act are designed to prevent desegregation, but Judge Paul and the City School Board exempted Charlottesville from the law’s provisions.
April 7, 1959
“Judiciary Committee Reviews Case Of Student Vandalism”
By John Watterson
Over Alumni Weekend, three students committed an act of vandalism, damaging a steam shovel in Mad Bowl. One of the students turned himself in to B.F.D. Runk, the dean of the University, who then turned the case over to the University Judiciary Committee. The damage to the shovel delayed a project to improve the drainage of Mad Bowl, so it could be a better athletic field for student intramural sports.
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